Syrah Vs Shiraz
Confused about Syrah vs Shiraz? Well, you’re not alone. While these two wine varieties are similar in some ways, they have distinct differences that make them stand out in their own right. In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into the origins of Syrah and Shiraz to help clear up any confusion between the two wines and show just how different they really are. So make sure to grab a glass of your favorite wine (we won’t judge if it’s one or both!) as you get ready to learn all about Syrah and Shiraz!
What is Syrah?
Syrah is a red wine grape variety that originated in the Rhône region of southeastern France. It has become one of the most widely planted grapes in the world, and is used to make some of the finest and most popular wines from many regions around the globe. Syrah wines are known for their intense dark fruit flavors, spicy aromas, and full body.
They are typically described as having dark berry, black pepper, and smoked meat notes. Syrah also has a good amount of tannin, giving it great structure and longevity in the bottle. Syrah is often blended with other red-wine varieties to create some of the most highly acclaimed wines in the world. It is an essential grape variety for any serious wine lover.
What is Shiraz?
Shiraz is a red wine grape variety that originated in the Shiraz region of Iran. It is widely planted around the world, and produces some of the most highly sought-after wines from many regions. The flavor profile of these wines typically includes spicy aromas with intense dark fruit flavors such as plum, blackberry, and blueberry.
They tend to be full-bodied with high levels of tannin, giving them great structure and aging potential. Shiraz wines are often blended with other red-wine varieties to create some of the most complex and sought-after wines in the world. It is also a crucial variety for any serious wine lover.
Syrah vs Shiraz: What’s the Difference?
Syrah and Shiraz are two red wine grape varieties that, while often confused for each other, have distinct differences.
Origin
One of the main differences between Syrah and Shiraz is their origin. Syrah originated in the Rhône region of southeastern France, while Shiraz originated in the Shiraz region of Iran. These two regions have significantly different climates and soils, which leads to different flavor profiles for the wine produced from each variety.
Flavor Notes
The two wine varieties Syrah and Shiraz have distinct flavor profiles due to the climate and soil conditions found in their respective regions of origin. Syrah, originating from the Rhône region of southeastern France, benefits from a warm Mediterranean climate that is tempered by cool breezes coming off the nearby Alps. This helps bring out bold dark fruit flavors, spice aromas, and a full body. In addition, the limestone and granite soils of the region further contribute to Syrah’s intense flavor profile and tannic structure – which help give it great longevity in the bottle.
Shiraz, originating from the Shiraz region of Iran, benefits from a much drier climate with an extreme temperature range between day and night. This helps bring out intense dark fruit flavors such as plum, blackberry, and blueberry. In addition, the alkaline soils of the region contribute to Shiraz’s higher tannin levels – giving it great structure and aging potential.
Wine Styles
The styles of Syrah and Shiraz can vary significantly depending on whether they are produced in the Old World or the New World. In general, Old World wines tend to be more subtle and earthy with lower alcohol levels.
This is because winemakers often use traditional techniques such as aging in oak barrels or extended maceration on the skins – which help bring out the delicate aromas and flavors of the grapes while also maintaining lower levels of alcohol.
Syrah produced in the Old World is typically medium-bodied and complex, with notes of dark fruit, spice, leather, and pepper. It has good tannin structure but generally lower levels of alcohol – which makes it a great wine for pairing with food or drinking on its own.
Shiraz produced in the Old World is typically more restrained with less intense dark fruit flavors and aromas of pepper, herbs, and smoked meat. It also has moderate tannins and lower levels of alcohol – which makes it a great wine for food pairing or just sipping on its own.
In comparison to their Old World counterparts, New World wines tend to be more forward and fruit-forward with higher levels of alcohol. This is because winemakers often use modern techniques such as cold fermentation or oak aging for a shorter period of time – which helps bring out bolder flavors and aromas from the grapes while also increasing the alcohol level.
Syrah produced in the New World is typically full-bodied and intense, with notes of dark fruit, spice, pepper, smoked meat, and even chocolate. It has good tannin structure and higher levels of alcohol – which makes it a great wine for pairing with grilled meats or sipping on its own.
Shiraz produced in the New World is typically more intense with bolder dark fruit flavors as well as aromas of pepper, herbs, and smoked meat. It also has higher tannin levels and higher alcohol – which makes it a great wine for pairing with rich foods or drinking on its own.
Overall, the differences in wine styles between Syrah and Shiraz produced in Old World and New World regions can be vast. It is worth exploring wines from both regions to understand the subtle yet distinct differences. Understanding these nuances can help you expand your knowledge and appreciation of red wines from around the world.
Color
Syrah and Shiraz have distinct differences in color due to the climate and soil conditions found in their respective regions of origin. Syrah wines tend to have a deep ruby-purple color with vivid crimson highlights. This is because the Mediterranean climate of the Rhône region helps bring out intense dark fruit flavors, which give it its deep hue.
Shiraz wines, on the other hand, tend to have a bright purple-black color with vibrant blueberry highlights. This is because the warm and dry climate of the Shiraz region helps bring out intense dark fruit flavors, which give it its deep hue. In addition, the alkaline soils of the region help contribute to Shiraz’s higher tannin levels, which can further contribute to its color.
Overall, Syrah and Shiraz have distinct differences in their respective colors. It is worth exploring the wines of each variety to better understand the nuances between these two grapes and appreciate their unique characteristics.
Winemaking Techniques
Syrah and Shiraz have distinct differences in winemaking techniques due to their respective regions of origin. Syrah, originating from the Rhône region of southeastern France, often uses traditional methods such as aging in oak barrels or extended maceration on the skins – which helps bring out delicate aromas and flavors while maintaining lower levels of alcohol. In addition, winemakers often employ techniques like cold fermentation to ensure that the flavor profile remains intense and concentrated.
Shiraz, originating from the Shiraz region of Iran, typically uses modern techniques such as oak aging for a shorter period of time – which helps bring out bolder flavors and aromas while also increasing the alcohol level. In addition, winemakers often use techniques like micro-oxygenation or pumping during fermentation to ensure that the tannin structure and texture of the wine remain balanced.
Why do Syrah and Shiraz Taste So Different?
Syrah and Shiraz have distinct differences in taste due to their geographical origins, climate and soil conditions, winemaking techniques, and grape varietals. Syrah, originating from the Rhône region of southeastern France, tends to be more subtle and earthy with lower alcohol levels. This is because winemakers often use traditional techniques such as aging in oak barrels or extended maceration on the skins – which help bring out delicate aromas and flavors while maintaining lower levels of alcohol.
Shiraz, originating from the Shiraz region of Iran, tends to be more intense and fruit-forward with higher levels of alcohol. This is because winemakers often use modern techniques such as cold fermentation or oak aging for a shorter period of time – which helps bring out bolder flavors and aromas while also increasing the alcohol level. In addition, the alkaline soils of the region help contribute to Shiraz’s higher tannin levels, which can further contribute to its flavor profile.
What Foods Pair Well with Syrah or Shiraz?
Syrah and Shiraz both pair well with a variety of foods due to their intense flavor profiles. Syrah, which is typically more subtle and earthy, pairs well with dishes featuring delicate flavors such as grilled salmon or roast chicken. The complexity of the wine can also stand up to bolder flavors such as game meats like lamb or duck.
Shiraz, which is typically more intense and fruit-forward, pairs well with dishes featuring bold flavors such as barbecue or grilled steak. The higher tannin levels and alcohol content of the wine can also stand up to rich sauces like mushroom ragu or tomato-based pasta sauce.
FAQs
Is Petite Sirah Similar To Syrah And Shiraz?
Although Petite Sirah and Syrah/Shiraz all come from the same family of grapes, known as Vitis Vinifera, they are distinctively different in their flavor profiles and winemaking techniques. Petite Sirah is a cross between two varietals—SSyrah and Peloursin—aand originated in France’s Rhône Valley in the late 19th century. Petite Sirah wines tend to be fuller-bodied with aggressive tannins and notes of blackberry, blueberry, and pepper.
Syrah and Shiraz wines, on the other hand, are distinct varietals from the same family of grapes. Syrah is often more subtle and earthy with lower alcohol levels while Shiraz is more intense and fruit-forward with higher levels of alcohol.
How much alcohol does a bottle of Syrah or Shiraz have?
A bottle of Syrah or Shiraz typically contains between 11.5 and 14 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). The exact ABV can vary depending on the particular wine, winemaking techniques, region of origin and vintage.
Syrah wines tend to have lower levels of alcohol because winemakers often use techniques like cold fermentation or extended maceration on the skins, which help preserve delicate aromas and flavors while keeping alcohol levels low.
Shiraz wines tend to have higher levels of alcohol because winemakers often use modern techniques such as oak aging for a shorter period of time – which helps bring out bolder flavors and aromas while also increasing the alcohol level. In addition, Shiraz grapes have thicker skins on average which can contribute to higher levels of alcohol in the wine.
How many calories and carbs does Syrah have?
Syrah typically contains around 110–125 calories and 4-5 grams of carbohydrates per 5 oz. glass. The exact number of calories and carbs will vary depending on the particular wine, winemaking techniques, region of origin and vintage.
Since Syrah has lower levels of alcohol than other red wines like Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon, it often has fewer calories and carbohydrates per glass. This can make Syrah a good option for those looking to watch their calorie or carbohydrate intake.
It is important to remember that alcohol itself has seven calories per gram, so the higher the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV) in your wine, the more calories it will contain.
How should I serve Syrah or Shiraz?
Syrah and Shiraz should be served at different temperatures depending on the style of wine. Syrah is typically more subtle and earthy, so it should be served at slightly cooler temperatures (around 60°F) to help preserve its delicate aromas and flavors.
Shiraz is typically more intense and fruit-forward, so it should be served at slightly warmer temperatures (around 65°F) to help bring out its bolder flavors and aromas.
In addition to serving the wine at the right temperature, it’s important that you use the right type of glassware. Syrah and Shiraz both pair best with medium-sized Burgundy glasses because they’re designed specifically for red wines and help concentrate the aroma molecules.
Finally, it’s important to let your wine “breathe” before serving. Allowing your Syrah or Shiraz at least 15–20 minutes to aerate will help bring out its full flavor profile.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Syrah and Shiraz are both varieties from the same family of grapes – Vitis Vinifera. The main differences between the two are their flavor profiles and winemaking techniques. Syrah is often more subtle and earthy with lower alcohol levels while Shiraz is typically more intense and fruit-forward with higher levels of alcohol.
While both should be served at the right temperature and with the appropriate glassware, it is worth exploring wines from each variety to better understand their nuances and appreciate their unique characteristics. Understanding these subtle yet distinct differences can help you expand your knowledge and appreciation of red wines from around the world.
References:
https://www.wikihow.com/Serve-Wines
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrah
https://thewell.northwell.edu/healthy-living-fitness/wine-health-benefits
https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/commodities/wine-beer-and-spirits